The 10 best places to stop on a London to Edinburgh drive (A1 Route)
- teamthomastravels
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
A London to Edinburgh road trip can be completed in around eight hours without traffic, but where's the fun in that? The route north is packed with incredible castles, ancient abbeys, dramatic landscapes and historic cities that make perfect places to break the journey. Instead of spending the whole day on the motorway, why not stop for an hour, stretch your legs, grab a coffee and discover somewhere new?
How many stops should you make?
There’s no right answer here, it really depends on how you like to travel!
If you're just trying to get to Edinburgh in one day, 1-2 stops is ideal. Pick somewhere like Pontefract Castle or the Angel of the North, stretch your legs, grab a coffee and keep moving.
If you’ve got more time, the A1 route works brilliantly as a relaxed road trip spread over 2-3 days. You could easily combine:
A southern stop like Lincoln (slight detour)
A Yorkshire stop such as Fountains Abbey or Brimham Rocks
A northern highlight like Durham or Bamburgh Castle
And if you're in full road trip mode, you could comfortably turn the journey into a mini tour of northern England and the Scottish Borders, stopping in places like Melrose and Jedburgh before reaching Edinburgh. You could explore Pontefract Castle in the morning, admire the Angel of the North over lunch and finish with a walk along Bamburgh Beach before arriving in Edinburgh in the evening. Or spread the journey over two days and fit in Durham, Fountains Abbey and the Scottish Borders too.
The beauty of this route is flexibility - you can make it as quick or as scenic as you like without ever straying far from the main road. Whether you're travelling to Northumberland, Edinburgh or onto the Scottish Highlands, these are our favourite places to stop along the way:
1. Lincoln Cathedral & Castle, Lincolnshire
Lincoln is one of England’s most impressive historic cities and a a brilliant early stop before joining the A1 north. If you're starting your journey slightly east of London or want to break up the first leg of the drive, Lincoln is perfect.
Dominating the skyline is the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral - once the tallest building in the world for over 200 years, while nearby Lincoln Castle is home to one of only four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta. Even if you only have an hour, walking part of Steep Hill and grabbing a coffee in the historic quarter makes it feel like a proper break in the journey.
If you want to explore then city properly, we’ve put together a full 1-day Lincoln itinerary to help you make the most of a longer stop before continuing your road trip north.
2. Sherwood Forest & Major Oak, Nottinghamshire
If you want something more atmospheric and nature-focused, Sherwood Forest is a brilliant detour. Home to the legendary Major Oak - said to be around 1,000 years old and linked to Robin Hood folklore - it’s an easy place to stretch your legs among ancient woodland.
The surrounding Sherwood Forest offers short walking trails, visitor centres and cafés, making it ideal for a relaxed early stop.
3. Pontefract Castle, West Yorkshire
One of England's most important medieval castles, Pontefract Castle was once known as the'Key to the North' thanks to its strategic position on the Great North Road. This ruined fortress witnessed some of England's biggest historical events, including the imprisonment and death of King Richard II, brutal Civil War sieges and even the beginnings of the love affair that led to Catherine Howard's downfall.
Today, it's free to visit and surprisingly family-friendly, with impressive ruins, panoramic views from the keep, a castle themed playground, cafe and plenty of space to explore.
4. Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire
One of the largest and best-preserved monastery ruins in Europe, Fountains Abbey is simply breathtaking. Managed by the National Trust, the 900 year old vast ruins were once home to a thriving community of Cistercian monks until it was closed by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. With the beautiful Studley Royal Water Garden, Fountains mill, Fountains Hall, orchards and a deer park to explore, this is an ideal stop for a peaceful walk after hours behind the wheel.
5. Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire
If you fancy swapping castles for nature, Brimham Rocks is an unforgettable stop. These enormous balancing rock formations were shaped over millions of years and now overlook the Yorkshire countryside. It's an easy place to stretch your legs, with short walking trails leading between the rocks and plenty of viewpoints.
Entry is free, although parking charges apply.
6. Angel of the North, Gateshead
You can't drive up the A1 without spotting one of Britain's most recognisable landmarks.
Standing 20 metres tall with a wingspan wider than a Boeing 757, Antony Gormley's Angel of the North has become an icon of northern England.
It's only a few minutes from the motorway, making it one of the quickest and easiest places to stop for a photo before continuing north. Parking is free and there's often an ice cream van in the car park, making this a great spot for a leg stretch and snack.
7. Durham, County Durham
If you have time for a slightly longer break, Durham is one of England's most beautiful small cities. Its magnificent Norman cathedral and castle sit high above the River Wear, while the cobbled streets are filled with independent cafés, shops and riverside walks.
Whether you're grabbing lunch or simply wandering through the historic centre, it's well worth the detour.
8. Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Few castles can compete with the setting of Bamburgh Castle. Perched dramatically above miles of golden sand, it's one of the most photographed castles in Britain. You can tour the castle itself or simply pay for parking and head down onto Bamburgh Beach, where you'll be treated to spectacular views back towards the fortress. On a warm day, it's the perfect place for a paddle before continuing your journey.
If you're travelling with Harry Potter fans, it's also worth considering a stop at nearby Alnwick Castle, famous for appearing as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films.
9. Melrose Abbey, Scottish Borders
Once you cross into Scotland, Melrose Abbey makes a wonderful first stop. Founded in the 12th century, its beautifully preserved Gothic ruins are said to contain the heart of Robert the Bruce, making it one of Scotland's most historically significant abbeys.
The attractive town of Melrose is also a lovely place to stop for coffee and lunch.
10. Jedburgh Abbey, Scottish Borders
Just a little further north lies another impressive medieval ruin. Jedburgh Abbey dominates the town skyline with its towering arches and intricate stonework. It's a quieter alternative to Melrose but equally atmospheric, making it a fantastic final stop before reaching Edinburgh.
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